After several years of prolonged droughts, watering restrictions, extreme heat and cold, and the threat of wildfires, home gardeners in this region are looking for ways to cope with the new normal. Here are some suggestions. PLANT OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE You probably know that plant hardiness zones are a fairly reliable guide to what plants will grow in your … Continue reading →
Preparing Beds, Planting Early Crops, and Waking Up the Garden April is when the garden truly begins to stir in Kamloops. While nights can still be cool, the soil warms quickly, perennials start to push up, and there’s plenty to do to set the stage for a productive season. It’s a month of gentle momentum — small tasks now make … Continue reading →
An easy early‑season boost for Kamloops gardeners Kamloops’ growing season can feel short, especially when spring soil stays cool well into April. One simple way to give warm‑season crops and some flowers a head start is to soak certain seeds before planting. This gentle pre‑treatment helps seeds break dormancy faster, leading to earlier sprouts and stronger early growth. Why Soaking … Continue reading →
Made from Portland cement, peat moss and vermiculite/perlite, Hypertufa pots, have long been favourites in English alpine gardens. Traditionally shaped into rectangular troughs, they can be made in almost any size or form. Their charm lies in not only their rustic, stone-like appearance but also in their durability: hypertufa is lighter than concrete, far more freeze-resistant than ceramic or terra … Continue reading →
A Space‑Saving Way to Start More Seeds This Spring If you’re looking to start extra seedlings without taking over every windowsill in the house, seed snails are a clever solution worth trying. This simple method turns leftover packaging—foam sheets, cardboard, tissue paper, even bubble wrap—into compact seed‑starting spirals that hold dozens of seedlings in the space of a single tray. … Continue reading →
The weather of late has us all itching to get back out and get our hands into the dirt, soil, compost and start the gardening for 2026. What can one safely do now without causing harm to one’s favourite garden gems? Well, let’s begin with fruit trees. Fruit Trees With the comfortable days and snow‑free yards, it is prime time … Continue reading →
What Haskaps would like you to know Although Haskap bushes can easily handle Siberian winters, they are quite fussy about how and where they are planted, and who their neighbours are. Haskaps do best in a sunny location, in well-drained loam or sandy loam soil. They will tolerate well-drained clay soils. Their shallow root system means they can’t compete with … Continue reading →
A practical, climate‑tuned guide for strong, early transplants Growing your own pepper plants indoors is one of the easiest ways to save money, expand your variety options, and ensure you have vigorous transplants ready for the garden. Peppers take their time — especially hot varieties — so giving them an early, well‑supported start makes all the difference. Kamloops gardeners know … Continue reading →
